Una struttura connessa con attività di feasting a Coppa Nevigata (FG)?

The authors discuss a structure, pertaining to the Recent Bronze Age, brought to light at Coppa Nevigata in 2017. This structure shows anomalous features in comparison with other structures at the site. In particular it is defined on one side by a semi-circular bench made of clay, above which lie a series of 11 clay rings arranged in a row. The south-east side of the structure was severely damaged in recent time, so that it is not possible to work out its complete shape that could have been either horseshoe shaped or elliptical. It is also difficult to figure out the actual function of the clay rings. These could have been placed at the base of posts supporting the roofing, yet they appear to be too close to each other. Alternatively, they could have constituted the supports of vessels or other items, but in this case we should assume that the structure was unroofed. Inside the structure there were a hearth encircled by a clay kerb and various fragments of big portable ovens made of raw clay. On the basis of parallels with other southern Italian contexts yielding portable ovens of the same type, the authors hypothesise that the structure was used to prepare collective meals for ritual occasions (feastings). This pattern of use would be consistent with that hypothesised for the area just north of the structure, characterised by several clay cooking platforms.